The selection marks a heroic comeback by the youngster who has had a cruel run with knee injuries having replaced the anterior cruciate ligament in both of his knees. 

In 2008, he tore his right knee's ACL for the second time in his career, during the Boxing Day clash with the Central Coast Mariners. 

In a remarkable act of family loyalty, doctors removed the tendon from his brother Cedo's hamstring and put it in Marko's right knee to replace the torn ligament. 

In contrast to his first two reconstructions, Marko did not return to running until three months after surgery to allow the foreign tendon time to take in his knee.

"It is good news, I have been out for such a long time and to get the news that you are in an Australian squad is an awesome feeling.  I am just happy that all the hard work has paid off. 

"I am particularly grateful to my brother Cedo who made a big sacrifice to help me get back on track".